Int J Med Sci
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Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes characterized by an inflammatory response. The H19 gene plays a role in regulating inflammation and is associated with chronic systemic inflammation. This study aims to investigate the potential correlation between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the H19 gene and the development of DR. ⋯ Additionally, diabetic individuals with the H19 SNP rs3741219 AG+GG genotype also showed significantly higher serum creatinine (p = 0.034), lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p = 0.013), higher total cholesterol/HDL ratio (p = 0.031), and higher triglycerides (p = 0.012). In an age-based subgroup analysis, GFR was significantly lower in diabetic patients with an onset of diabetes before 45 years and with the H19 SNP rs3741219 AG+GG genotype (p = 0.012). In conclusion, the presence of the H19 SNP rs3741219 variant is associated with a higher risk of DR in individuals with early-onset diabetes, and the relationship between the rs3741219 variant and decreased GFR is particularly pronounced in this population.
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Aims: Investigate the role of the apelin/APLNR axis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), focusing on the progression from metabolic dysfunction-associated simple steatotic liver (MASS) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis, with emphasis on liver B cells. Methods: Serum samples from MASLD patients and liver tissues from hepatocellular carcinoma patients were collected to measure apelin and APLNR protein expression. C57BL/6J mouse models of varying MASLD stages were developed using a high-fat diet and CCl4. ⋯ Sequencing and RT-PCR in Raji cells indicate that the apelin/APLNR axis promotes the expression of inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix molecules. Conclusion: The apelin/APLNR axis is crucial in MASLD progression. Targeting this axis may offer therapeutic potential to modulate B cell function and mitigate MASLD advancement.
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Background: The lengthy period of external fixation for bone consolidation increases the risk of complications during distraction osteogenesis (DO). Both pro-angiogenic and osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) contribute to bone regeneration during DO. The underlying mechanism of Schwann cells (SCs) in promoting bone regeneration during DO remains poorly understood. ⋯ Furthermore, RSC-96 derived CM accelerated bone regeneration, resulting in improved biomechanical parameters, radiological features and histological manifestations, along with increased vascularization in the distraction area. Conclusion: Through activation of AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling, SCs enhanced the coupled angio- and osteogenesis effects of BMSCs. The preclinical evidence demonstrates that SCs derived CM with increased neurotrophins secretion can be a promising treatment approach to accelerate bone regeneration in the DO process.
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Effective therapies for cognitive impairments induced by brain irradiation are currently lacking. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for radiation-induced brain injury in a randomized controlled experimental model using adult male Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: 0 Gy whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with normal baric air (NBA) treatment, 0 Gy WBRT with HBOT, 10 Gy WBRT with NBA, and 10 Gy WBRT with HBOT. ⋯ In addition, HBOT prevented and reversed the increased apoptosis among newborn neural stem cells and neuroblasts caused by 10 Gy WBRT on 7 days. The findings suggest that WBRT disrupts neurogenesis and enhance microgliosis, apoptosis of neuronal progenitors, and lipid peroxidation in the dentate gyrus, potentially leading to cognitive deficits and neuronal death. HBOT may offer a protective effect against these cognitive impairments and their underlying mechanisms in adult male rats following WBRT.
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Excessive exercise can lead to fatigue, consequently affect exercise performance, and further have an adverse impact to human health. The synergistic effects of ginsenosides, salidroside, and syringin on improving exercise performance remain unknown. Hence, the effects of Chinese herb powder (CHP) which consisted of bioactive compounds such as ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, and Rb1), salidroside, and syringin on exercise performance, energy metabolism, tissue damage, antioxidant activity, and inflammatory cytokine were investigated in exhaustive exercise rats. ⋯ Abdominal arterial blood, liver, and gastrocnemius muscles were collected 4 hours after exhaustive exercise for further analysis. The high-dose CHP group increased the time to exhaustion, decreased serum lactate level, increased serum superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased liver interleukin-6 concentration. Therefore, CHP exhibits an anti-fatigue effect for prolonging the time to exhaustion through improving lactate clearance, and to a lesser extent, enhancing the capacity of antioxidation and anti-inflammation.